Quarterback Sam Hartman has helped Notre Dame to a 3-0 start on the season. Hartman, the transfer from Wake Forest, is in his sixth college season and at 24, is older than nearly all of his teammates and opponents. And it doesn’t stop there.
During Saturday’s game between the Fighting Irish and North Carolina State, the trivia question was, “How many current starting NFL QB’s were in college at the same time Sam Hartman?”
It’s 17. That’s half of the league, plus one.
The question: How many current starting NFL QB's were in college at the same time as Notre Dame starter Sam Hartman?
The answer: 17. More than half of them. pic.twitter.com/EJERv5f3g2
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 9, 2023
The stat raised eyebrows of college football fans.
Greg McElroy:
"I can't imagine what the number is. Is it half the league? Perhaps…17? I thought 16 was an aggressive answer." https://t.co/fhP0bbqT3F
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 9, 2023
Holy Lord, 17!!!! https://t.co/ScYq2pfN0F
— BMF (@Brantlee) September 9, 2023
— Jim Irizarry (@JimOnSports_) September 9, 2023
— Coach King (@CoachKing038) September 9, 2023
Hartman has done well for himself leading Notre Dame’s offense. Through three games, he’s completed 75% of his passes for 731 yards with 10 touchdowns and no interceptions. The Fighting Irish have also averaged just under 48 points over their first three games. So, no doubt coach Marcus Freeman and the rest of the Notre Dame teams are happy to have Hartman’s experience at quarterback, a position that was inconsistent for the Fighting Irish a season ago.
And for anyone curious, the list of 17 is: Joe Burrow, Justin Fields, Justin Herbert, Sam Howell, Jalen Hurts. Daniel Jones, Mac Jones, Trevor Lawrence, Jordan Love, Kyler Murray, Kenny Pickett, Brock Purdy, Anthony Richardson, Desmond Ridder, C.J. Stroud, Tua Tagovailoa and Bryce Young. Murray will not start for the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1, being on the PUP list. The other 16 will be in action.
